There are many things that can be said about St George Illawarra Dragons coach, Paul McGregor.
But even the most hardcore Dragons fan must admit that he showed courage, passion and honesty in fronting up to the media shortly after his team’s abysmal performance against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Monday, a performance which saw the Dragons slump to their fourth straight loss this year and become the only team that remains winless after four rounds.
McGregor’s message during the post-match interview was clear – “I’m not a quitter”.
And of his team – “you don’t quit on people you believe in and have confidence.”
However, as we know, in footy the decision about whether he keeps his job is not his own. There seems to be consensus that McGregor’s days at the Dragons are numbered.
However, if McGregor is to lose his job this week or in the coming weeks, his head cannot be the only one that rolls.
The board of the Dragons and management at the club must also be held accountable and if I were a fan of the club, I would be asking serious questions about the way the club is being managed.
The board and management must take some responsibility for the decision to re-sign McGregor to a two-year deal in April of 2019 meaning that he is currently contracted with the club until the end of 2021. That deal, if it comes to its natural conclusion, will make McGregor the most capped coach in the joint venture’s short history.
What baffled me about the decision to re-sign McGregor at that time, was that to me, there were some worrying signs about his coaching even at that point, despite the Dragons being in the top eight having won their last three games after starting their season with two losses.
Paul McGregor. (AAP Image/ Action Photographics, Robb Cox)
Those flaws are still on show now.
You only need to look at the wholesale changes he made to his squad ahead of the game against the Bulldogs – Ben Hunt to five-eighth, Corey Norman to fullback, Adam Clune into the starting side as halfback and Matt Dufty dropped.
Wholesale changes in and of themselves are not problematic. Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook made some changes to his team to take on the Wests Tigers and it seemed to prove successful. Smart coaches know when to make tweaks to make their team better.
But chopping and changing his squad is perfectly normal behaviour for McGregor.
Last year, his standard approach to team selection saw him play musical chairs with his spine each week, rotating players like Corey Norman, Ben Hunt, Matt Dufty, Gareth Widdop and Cameron McInnes throughout games.
The strategy didn’t work on Monday against the Bulldogs and it didn’t work last year.
The Dragons finished 15th last season, despite the fact that their side boasted several current and former
Internationals and State of Origin representatives including Hunt, Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims, Paul Vaughan, James Graham and Widdop.
What this chopping and changing tells me is that McGregor has no idea who his best 17 are and in what position they should play.
His coaching record at the club reflects this too, with his win percentage sitting at below 50 per cent.
But despite this, management still made the decision to re-sign McGregor earlier in 2019.
Some will tell you that McGregor was given some leeway because of the havoc created by the Jack de Belin situation.
No one saw this coming and McGregor was open in saying what an impact de Belin missing a season had on his structures and attack.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor needs to shake his team selections up. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers)
But I call rubbish on this. If a club wants success, leeway based on one player missing a season is not good enough.
It is not quite the same thing, but clubs have to deal with plenty of surprises during the season including injury – excusing an abysmal season because one player is missing is unacceptable.
The current predicament the club faces, that being whether to keep McGregor or not, is a significant one.
Should the club seek to terminate his contract, it will be an expensive decision, given that the most likely option is that there will either be a settlement or the club will need to pay him out for the remainder of his contract.
This is financial suicide in an environment where many clubs have financial concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ultimately this financial decision will be weighed up against the risk associated with allowing McGregor to see out his contract and the lack of success that may come with that decision.
But regardless of what happens with McGregor, for the Dragons to succeed they are going to need far more than a change of coach. Wholesale changes are needed – and they need to come across the board.
matth
Roar Guru
Radio TAB1008 on the AM dial (also on FM somewhere), from I think 6:30 to 8:30. Highlights are 8 to 8:30 Monday mornings when they have Crash Croaddock on for the half hour. Depending on the day they have invited experts to discuss NRL, AFL, Rugby, Tennis, Football, Cricket, etc For example today they had Michael Voss and Jonathon Thurston on at various times
Nat
Roar Guru
What station?
matth
Roar Guru
I prefer Andrew Voss’ commentary at the moment.
matth
Roar Guru
Salty loves his footy and sport in general. His morning show in Brisbane is always worth listening to.
Nat
Roar Guru
This season is the first time I've sub'd to Kayo and that carry-on by Fox was hard to handle. They basically take turns at saying the same thing, nodding furiously along with each other about how Mary will be lucky to keep his job after that game. I held on just to hear Mary's interview and that's all I can handle.
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
But that's what the game plan is from the coach and the way they are coached, the first 5 plays run the balls one out up the middle and then kick it on the 5th that's the only game plan he knows how to coach and that's why the outside backs never see the ball. His game plan is so predictable opposition line is never threatened at any stage got absolutely no flair in their game all this one out running is a joke,and it all comes down to a bad coach.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Bill, those people I listen to on Talkin'' sport of an afternoon that are actually Dragons club members have been on about the management within the club for well on 4 years. I do not think that McGregor is the sole problem. However in saying that I note that McGregor has never done a decent apprenticeship as an assistant coach under a successful first grade NRL coach. His coaching credentials are from coaching the second tier Illawarra Cutters . Had he not left the Dragons when Bennett arrived he may well have turned out to be a more knowledgeable coach having worked with Bennett. All as I can say is that you cannot be clicking at training and turning out the performances the players are on the field, the lack of cohesion & communication has to be showing at training.
JGK
Roar Guru
Phil Gould basically admitted as much on Monday.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Brad Arthur is evidently a protected species despite having only a couple of decent seasons to point to in all of his time at the Eels. It would be interesting to put his career stats up against McGregors.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
Mondays game was hard to watch .... and the interview too . The teams long slide in form seemed to start straight after he was resigned . Figure that one out . I've always struggled to understand his coaching style . He puts those talented young kids through the grinder emotionally . They must all be doubting their own ability and it's easy to see why . Since when did getting first crack at a position mean one game ? How is that showing confidence and belief in the people around you ? I think that he is reaping what has been sown . I should probably feel for him .... but on the other hand , he has made about 3 million dollars out of the Dragons and not come up with much . The club has been pretty patient and generous , all things considered .
Chris Love
Roar Guru
That was one of the stupidest questions I’ve ever heard asked of a coach. Probably the stupidest. Does Ikin think McGregor is so dumb as to answer that?
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Mary the extension was made under the previous CEO Brian Johnston. The new boss had nothing to do with it.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Nicko, mate I have no doubt what Matty Elliot says is correct, He is a smart bloke no question about that. However, there is also a problem in regard to the structures within the club. They have an assistant coach that has won a Premiership and yet we get on the field nothing makes sense....
Albo
Roar Rookie
Poor Lomax can't get the ball ! Except for the odd hit up off his own line. I'm still waiting to see if the kid has any ability that Dragons fans have raved about for two years ?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Brian Westlake is the Cobra. That was the graffiti on the Northern Beaches in the 60s and 70s.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
He should go now. Dragons should release him, they aren't going anywhere and he's been a good player for them over the years. Let him make the most of his future.
jamesb
Roar Guru
The other thing that needs to take into consideration is which juniors has he developed. The rep players in the side were developed elsewhere except. You look at Dufty, Aitken, Sailor, Saab, Host, Lawrie, Robson, all have potential, and yet none of them have come through under his wing. At the moment, Lomax is the great white hope, and he is also struggling.
Nat
Roar Guru
I think Widdop was better off without him. IMO Hunt has played 4 good games at STI, 2 against the Broncos in '18, one ANZAC day and against Titans in Toowoomba. That said, he never reached any great heights at Brisbane either.
Rob
Guest
Wasn't it Brad Arthur that supposed be getting the boot at the end of last year?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
When "paired" with Widdup, Hunt played his best football. Pressure was taken off him as Widdup's kicking game was first class.